Zulu Beadwork Belt Glass Beads South African Collection

Description

Title
Zulu Beadwork Belt Glass Beads South African Collection
Type of Object
Belt, Glass beads
Country of Origin
South Africa
People
Zulu
Materials
Glass Bead, and string
Approximate Age
20th Century
Height (in)
2
Width (in)
27 with strings
Overall Condition
Very good. Some of our beads have traveled at least three continents, and have graced numerous owners. Small chips, corrosion, and pitting are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.
Additional Information:
Old glass pony and seed trade beads. The tiny yellow ones are loose--missing a few beads. But overall they are in excellent condition. This Zulu beaded waist piece were worn by women around the waist over their skirt. Zulu beadwork has been valued as currency, as decoration, and as a marker of identity. Disingwayo the uncle of Shaka and Shaka himself, controlled the bead trade and monopolized not only the beads themselves but also the colors and designs available to groups within Shaka’s control. Beadwork became a status symbol and an important item of personal expression as well. Stylistic variations of beadwork such as pattern, color and color sequence indicate area or group affiliation. Colors and patterns take on more personally expressive meanings as in the case of Zulu “love letters.” Recently beadwork has become a symbol of political identity as well, with color and pattern indicating political affiliation. Instead of beads being worn only by the conservative, traditional members of the community, wearing beadwork is increasingly being seen as reclaiming a cultural identity.
Zulu beaded waist pieces were worn by women around the waist over their skirts. Zulu
beadwork has been valued as currency, as decoration, and as a marker of identity. A
woman may also wear a big belt made out of dried grass and covered with fabric and
lots of beads to keep her stomach flat after giving birth. Isibhamba comes from the
word “bamba”, which means “to help support or to hold”. In this case, keeping or holding
the stomach so it will lie flat.
Recommended Reading:
Hlengiwe Dube, ZULU BEADWORK. TALKING WITH BEADS, AfricaDirect, Inc., Denver, 2009, 112 p.
Jean Morris, SPEAKING WITH BEADS. ZULU ARTS FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA
See also ZULU TREASURES. AMAGUGU KaZulu
From the Collection of Dori Angus-Verhoog
These are from the collection of Dori Angus Verhoeg from Mbabane, Eswatini. Dori
was a beloved friend of ours. We met her in 1994 when we lived in Southern Africa,
driving around with our three youngest children in a used camper van. We met Dori at
the wonderful gallery she ran, Indiglizi. She died several years ago, and her children,
Anthony and Sonia Angus made her collection available to us when they closed the
gallery this year due to COVID.
DL0321
**136415**
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